Process of and apparatus tor sizing or classifying comminuted material



H. M. SUTTON GL W. L. & E. rG. STEELE.

PROCESS 0F AND APPARATUS FOR slzlNG 0R CLASSIFYTNG COMMTAUTED MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5. 1914. y nl l Patented Aug. z, 19H1.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

H. M. vSLITTON W. L, L E. G. STEELE.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR SIZING 0R CLASSIFYING COMMINUTED MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5. I9I4.

I. ,1 96,047. Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Snom;

H. M. SUTTON I WL. I E. G. STEELE.

PROCESS 0F AND APPARATUS FOR SIZIIIG 0R' CLASSIFYING COMMINUTED MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5. I9I4. Y Ll 96.04?. yPmenfeddlg. 29,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

G4CM la /D l @EUR new UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY M. SUTTON, WALTER I1. STEELE, AND EDWIN G. STEELE,

TEXAS.

oF DALLAS,

PROCESS 0F 3AND APPARATUS FOR SIZING 0R CLASSIFYING COMMINUTEI)v MATERIAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

Application led February 5, 1914. Serial No. 816,754..

citizens of the United States, residing at.

Dallas, in the county of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of and Apparatus for Sizing or Classifying Comminutedk Material, of which the following is a speciiication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to a process of and an apparatus for sizing orV classifying comminuted material and is in the nature of an improvement upon our pendin applications Serial Number 780,360 file July 21, 1913 and Serial Number 813,716, led J anuary 22, 1914; the object being to provide an apparatus which is composed of a plurality of independently operated and adjustably mounted sizing units.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide 'a sizing surface consisting of a number of separate units; each unit of the series doing only a portion of the sizing, the last unit of the series completing the process and separately delivering the sized products.

Another and important feature of the invention, is the provision of means for transferring the particles from one sizing surface to the next succeeding one in approximately the same condition in which they left the said surface, and at a higher point on the next succeeding surface than would be the case were the particles allowed to take their natural path of travel from one sizing surface'to the next. We have found by experimenting, that when extremely close sizing is reqpired, for instance such as is necessary to prepare certain kinds of ore pulp for the separation of their various constituents upon the usual form of concentrating or separating apparatus, that the sizing can be better accomplished on a number of separate units, as each unitacts upon the material independent of the other and the speed of the moving deck thereof, its speed of vibration and its inclination can be independently controlled, thus obtaining a closer and more accurate4 adjustment for the workto be accomplished.

Other and further objects and advantages of. the invention will be hereinafter set forth and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings-Figure 1, isv aperspective of our improved construction of apparatus for carrying out the process of sizing a mass of comminuted material upon a series of sizing surfaces; Fig. 2, is an end view showing the relative position of the deiiecting baiiles to the several units of the apparatus; Fig: 3, is a diagrammatic view showing the travel of the particles `of comminute material through the deiiecting baliiesfrom one sizing surface to another; Fig. 4, is a transversel section through the corrugated belt having longitudinally arranged IlV-sha ed grooves formed therein which gradua ly increase in depth toward its lower edge in order to increase the resimance of the material in its movement by gravity; Fig. 5, is a transverse section through a slightly modied form of belt; the corrugations and grooves of which are formed upon curvedv lines which increase in Adepth toward the lower edge thereof; the rounded grooves formed thereby offering less resistance to the material in its movement by gravity than the straightsided grooves; Fig. 6, is a` detail end -view showing the relative position of the baliie to the sizing surface where it passes over the belt.` Fig. 7, lis a transverse enlarged section through one section of the apparatus showing one means of supporting the deck frame in order to change the inclination thereof; Fig. 8, is a perspective of a belt having longitudinally arranged grooves formed therein; Fig. 9, is a transverse enlarged section through the supporting surface or deck showing the agitating roller and in 'dotted lines, the movement imparted to sa id surface or deck by the rotation of said roller; and Fig. 10, is an end elevation of the roller.

Like numerals of referencerefer to like parts in the several ligures of the drawings.

In the drawings, l, 2, 3 and 4 indicate a series of deck frames arranged in stepped relation, and adjustably supported by depending curved slotted arms A through which extend threaded studs A supported on the base A2; the studs being provided with hand wheels for clamping the arms in adjusted position in a similar manner, as

iiiy

shown in our Patent #1,114,935, dated October 27, 1914,'whereby each of the deck frames will be allowed to be adjusted inde pendently in order to change the inclination thereof so as to adjust the inclination of the supporting surface carried thereby, which will be later described, whereby any one of the frames can be adjusted independently of the otherv to allow the classifying surface to be adjusted to` suit the class of material being sized.

The deck frames are provided with suitable bearings at each end in which, are mounted shafts 5 and 6 carrying rollers 7 and 8 on which are mounted endless flexible belts 9, 1G, 11 and 12 arranged to deliver the material progressively from the upper belt to the lower belt. These belts are preferably provided with longitudinally arranged corrugations increasing in depth from the upper edge toward the lower edge thereof, but it is of course understoodthat any form of belt having a roughened surface can be employed for carrying out the process of sizing the material.

Each of the shafts G is provided with a pulley 13 over which passes the drive belt 14 driven by change-speed mechanism A substantially as shown in our companion cases in order that the speed of each belt can be controlled;

Mounted intermediate the shafts 5 and 6 ineach of the deck frames, is a shaft 15 carrying an angular tapering roller 16 constructed substantially as disclosed in our Patent #1,114,935, dated October 27, 1914. The shafts 15 carrying the angular rollers v16 extend outwardly beyond the upper side bar of the respective frames and are provided with beveled gears 17 which mesh with beveled gears 18 carried by shafts 19 mounted in suitable bearings; said shaft carrying pulleys 2O over which pass drive belts 21 driven by a change-speed mechanism B constructed substantially as disclosed in our Patent #1,114,935, dated October 27, 1914, whereby the'speed of vibration of the belts can be independently controlled.

The construction of the several units as hereinbefore described, is substantially the same and the description of one is sufficientfor all, as each unit is operated in the same manner that the adjacent unit is operated, but is under an independent control and from the foregoing description, it will be seen that a sizing apparatus is provided composed of number' of units capable of being adjusted independently in order to change the inclination of the surface Vand that the speed of travel of the belt and the vibration thereof can also be controlled independently.

Arranged at the deliveryend of each of the sizin'g surfaces Q, 10 and 11, is a series of spaced deiecting bailes 22. disposed in such a position as to receive and deliver the sized particles from the upper sizing surface to the next lower sizing surface in such a manner that the particles are prevented from racing or bouncing.

The delecting baffles 22 conform to the curvature of the roller over which the belts pass, but are spaced slightly therefrom and are arranged as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 forming a number of channels which extend obliquely in order to receive the mate-` rial and deliver the same to the next succeeding surface at a higher point, as will be later described. These baiiles are preferably formed of angled plates supported by any suitable means, not shown, in the position as disclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

By constructing a sizing apparatus composed of a series of units, having dcllecting baffles arranged to receive and deliver the material from one sizing surface to another, the particles are caused to travel a greater distance over the sizing surfaces than would be the case with an apparatus without the detlecting bailes, and by giving the batlles a crook at their lower ends, the movement of the particles is arrested when they are delivered to the sizing surface so to prevent the same from racing or bouncing. The division of these ballles into narrow channels facilitates the transfer of the particles from one sizing surface to the next succeeding surface without altering materially, the dcgreeof sizing, so far as the progress upon the preceding surface is concerned, and vat the same time, the particles are advanced and delivered to the next succeeding surface at a higher point. This can be readily understood by referring to the diagrammatic view illustrated by Fig. 3, where the ap proximate inclination of the sizing surface is shown with reference to the perpendicular line K-K, the dotted line showing the travel of the particles through the deflecting baffles. The particle N on reachingthe ballie travels from the point G0 to 61 and thence to 62 on the next succeeding surface, and is delivered at the point M, while if it was allowed an unrestricted line of travel under the iniiuence'of gravity and the agitation of the sizing surface, it would report at L. A suitable apron 23 is arranged at the deliveryv and of the sizing surface 12 and is provided with a spaced bar 24 under which are adjustably mounted lingers for detlecting the sized particles delivered from the last sizing surface of the apparatus into suitable receptacles and it is of course understood that while we have shown such an apron for this purpose, the same can be dispensed with and the sized particles delivered directly into a number of receptacles. A suitable hopper 26 is arranged'to deliver material upon the upper sizing surface 9 and the line of movement over the respective sizing surity.

faces, is illustrated by the shaded lines in Fig. l.

l-`rom the foregoing description, it will be seen that we have provided a process of and an apparatus for sizing comminuted material in which the material is progressively subjected to the action of a' series of sizing surfaces arranged at an inclination in order to subject the particles to the action of gravity; each sizing surface having means for exerting a resistance to the material against the force of gravity and means for vibrating the surface in order to modify the resistance so as to allow the particles to travel by grav-ity in lines deviating from the line of normal movement of the material; means being provided at the delivery end of each sizing surface, for conveying lthe particles and delivering the same on the adjacent sizing surface at a point above that at which they are delivered from the preceding sizing surface.

`In the specification, we have referred to the material as being advanced against the force of gravity in its movement from one sizing surface to the adjacent surface, but

it is of course understood that this move.

ment is not wholly against the force of gravity but is a delecting movement from its normal path of travel in order to advance the material in its movement from, one surface to the other. By this construction, the material delivered from one surface is deposited upon the next succeeding surface at a higher point than would be the case, if the particles were allowed to drop by gravlVe do not in this application claim the species involving progressively varying the speeds of travel of the material supports, which forms the subject mattei' of another application which is a division of this, said application being Serial No. 54,748filed oet. s, 1915.

le claim:

l. The process of sizing material, consisting in transporting material composed -of grains of varying sizes on a series of successive support-s, inclined transversely to the direction of transporting movement, and subjecting said material to gravitative impulses adapted to deviate the components of said material from the direction of transport in proportion to their respective Sizes, progressively varying said gravitative impulses upon the successive supporting surfaces, and separately collecting the separated sizes of material from\the last supporting surface. j I

he process of sizingmaterial, consigting in transporting material composed of grains of varying sizes on aseries of successivesupports inclined .transversely to the'direction of transporting movement, and subjecting said material to gravitativeimpulses adapted the upper portion of a succeeding support,

and separately collecting the separated sizes of material from the last supporting surface,

3. The process of sizing material, consist-A ing in transporting material composed of grains of varyingsizes, on a series of successive supports inclined transversely to the direction of transporting movement, and subjecting said material to undulatory vibrations adapted to cause the components of said material to deviate from the direction of transport in proportion to their respective sizes, progressively4 varying said undulatory vibrations upon tlie successive supporting surfaces, and separately collecting the separated sizes of material from the last supporting surface.

4. The process of Sizing material, consisting in transporting material composed of grains of varying sizes on a series "vof successive continuously moving supports inclined transversely to the direction of continuous movement, subjecting said material to undulatory vibrations adapted to lcause the components of said material to deviate from the direction of transport in proportion to their respective sizes, progressively varying said undulatory vibrations upon the successive supporting surfaces,progressively varying the speed of transport upon the successive supporting surfaces, and separately collecting the separate sizes of material from the last supporting' surface.

5. TheA process of sizing material, consisting in transporting material composed of grains of varying sizes on a series of transversely inclined successive supports, and subjecting said material to undulatory vibrations and to gravitative impulses to deviate the components of said material from the direction of transport in proportion to their respective sizes, progressively varying said undulatory vibrations and gravitative impulses upon the successive supporting surfaces, and separately collecting the separated sizes of material from-the last supporting surface.

6. The process of sizing a mass of comminuted material, composed of grains of varying sizes, consisting in progressively transporting the material on a series of continuously moving surfaces,subjecting said material to undulatory vibrations, subjecting said material to the action of gravity, progressively varying the force of gravity. acting upon the material upon the supporting surfaces, to cause the particles-to move transversely thereon in proportion to their respective sizes, transferring material in distributed condition from one surface to the adjacent surface so as to advance the material in its movement from one surface to the adjacent surface, and separately collecting the separated sizes of material from the supporting surfaces.

7. The process of sizing a mass of solid material, consisting in progressively and continuously transporting material composed of grains of varying sizes on a series of continuously moving inclined supporting surfaces, and .subjecting said material to the action of gravity and to undulatory vibrations, to cause the particles to move transversely thereon in proportion to their respective sizes, progressively varying the force of gravity on said material upon the successive supporting surfaces, transferring said material in its distributed condition from one surface to the adjacent surface so as to advance the material in its movement from one surface to the adjacent surface, and separately collecting the separate sizes of material from the last supporting surface.

8. The process of sizing material, consisting in transporting material composed of grains of varying sizes on a series of successive supports inclined transverselyT to the direction of transporting movement. and progressively subjecting said material to varying gravitative impulses adapted to deviate the components of said material from t-lie direction of transport in proportion to their respective sizes upon the successive supporting surfaces, delivering the material in distributed condition from one surface to progressively increased extents of the succeeding surface, and separately collecting tlie separated sizes of material from the last supporting surface.

i). The process of sizing material, consisting in transporting material composed of grains of varying sizes on a series of successive supports inclined transversely to the direction of transporting movementv` and subjecting said material to gravitative impulses adapted to deviate the components of said material from the direction of tran. port in` proportion to their respective sizes, delivering material in its distributed condition from one surface to progressively increased extents of the succeeding surface, progressively varying said gravitative iinpulses upon the successive supporting surfaces, and separatelycollecting tlie separated sizes of material from tlie last supporting surface.

l0. rllhe process of sizing material, consisting in transporting material composed of grains of varying sizes on a series of successive supports inclined transversely to the direction of transporting movement, and

. s1i iecting said material to gravitative impulses adapted to deviate the components of said material from the direction of transport in proportion to their respective sizes,

delivering the material in distributed con-V dition from one surface to progressively increased extents of the succeeding surface,

' surface.

1l. The process of sizing material, consisting in transporting material composed of grains of varying sizes on a series ofsuccessive supports inclined transversely to tile direction of transporting movement, progressively subjecting said material to varying gravitative impulses. adapted to deviate the components of said material from the direction of transport in proportion to their respective sizes upon the successive supporting surfaces, delivering the material in distributed condition from one surface to progressively increased extents of the succeeding surface, and separately collecting the separated sizes of material from the last suiiport-ingxsurface.

12. rl`lie process of sizing material, consisting in transporting material composed of grains of varying sizes on a series of successive supports inclined transversely to the direction of transporting movement, and subjecting said material to gravitative impulses adapted to deviate the components of said material from the direction of transport in proportion to their respective sizes, delivering the material in distributed condition from one surface to progressively increased extents of tlie succeeding surface, progressively varying saidggravitative impulses upon tlie successive supporting surfaces, counteracting the gravitative impulses due to delivery from one surface to tlie next, and separately collecting the separated sizes (fif material from the last supporting surace,

c The process of sizing material, consisting in transporting material, composed of grains of varying sizes on a series of successive supports inclined transversely to the dire'ion of transporting movement, and sulij sting said material to gravitative impulses adapted to deviate the components of said material from the direction of transport in proportion to their respective sizes,`

delivering tlie material in distributed condition from one surface to pmgressively increased extents of the. succeeding surface. countei'actiiig tlie gi'avitative impulses due to delivery from one :eu-face tothe, succeeding surface, and separately coilelung the separate sizes of material from the last supporting surface.

lilo

14. The process of sizing material, consisting in transporting material composed of grains of varying sizes on a series of'successive transversely inclined continuously moving supports and subjecting said material to gravitative impulses adapted to deviate the components of said material from the direction. of continuous movement in proportion to their respective sizes, delivering the material in distributed condition from one vsurface to progressively increased extents of the succeeding surfaee, counteracting the gravitative impulses due to delivery from one surface tothe next succeeding surface, and separately collecting the separated sizes of material from the last supporting surface.

15.'The process of sizing material, consisting in transporting materialcomposed of grains of varying sizes on a series of successive supports inclined transversely7 to the direction of transporting movement and subjecting said material to progressively increasing gravitative impulses adapted 'to accelerate the deviation of the components of said material from the direction of transport in proportion to their respective sizes,

, delivering the material in distributed condition from one surface to progressively increased extents of the succeeding surface, and separately collecting the separated sizes of material from the last supporting surface.

1G. In a machine for sizing solid material, a series of continuously moving sizing surfaces arranged in the line of continuous movement and inclined transversely to the direction of continuous movement and adapted to deviate the material from the line of continuous movement in proportion to its respective sizes, means for imparting and delivering gravitative impulses to the material upon the successive supports, meansv for transferring the material in distributedlcondition from one surface toprogressively increased extents of the succeeding surface,"y

and means for separately collecting the separated sizes of material from the last supporting surface 17. A machine for sizing solid material, comprising a series of adjustably mounted progressing sizing surfaces arranged in stepped relation in tlie line of progression, said surfaces being inclined transversely to the line of progression to cause the components of said material to deviate from the line of progression in proportion to their respective sizes, means for vibrating said progressing surfaces to accelerate the movement of the components in their movement of deviation, aseries of spaced angled deflecting bailes arranged at the end of each of said surfaces fortransferring and arresting the material from one surface to the adjacent surface in distributed condition,

and means for separately collecting the different sized material discharged from the supporting surfaces.

18. A machine for sizing solid material,

" comprising a series of adjustably mounted p the Vlastsupporting surface.

19. A machine for sizing material, composed' of grains of varying sizes, comprising a series of transversely inclined continuously moving supports arranged in the line of continuous movement, means for progressively vibrating said surfaces to cause the material to gravitate thereon in lines deviating from the line of continuous movement, a series of spaced deflecting baffles arranged at the end of each of said continuously moving surfaces for transferring the material in its distributed condition from one surface to progressively increased extents of the succeeding suiiface, and separately collecting the separated sizes of material from the last supporting surface.

20. A machine for sizing material, coinposed of grains of varying sizes, comprising a series of supporting surfaces progressively increasing in size, inclined transversely to the direction of continuous movement, means rate sizes of material from the last surface. f

21. In a machine for sizing solid material composed of grains of varying sizes, a series of sizing units arranged in stepped relation,

each sizing unit comprising a continuously moving endless belt for advancing the material delivered thereon, means for vibrating said belts to impart gravitative impulses to the material thereon to deviate the .components of said material from the direction of continuous movement in proportion to their respective sizes, detlecting bafl'les for delivering the material-in distributed condition from one surface to progressively increased extents of the succeeding surface, and separately collecting the separated sizes of material from the last supporting'suiface. y

22. In aiinachine for sizing solid material composed of grains of varying sizes, a series of sizing units arranged in stepped relation, each sizing unit comprising a continuously moving endless belt for advancing the material delivered thereon, means for vibrating said belts to impart gravitative impulses to the material thereon to deviate the components of said material from the direction of continuous movement in proportion to their respective sizes, deflecting guides having bends adapted to retard the travel of material from one surface to the succeeding surface, and separately collecting the separated sizes of material from the last support ing surface.

23. A machine for sizing material, composed of grains of varying sizes, comprising a series of successive continuously moving supports inclined transversely to the direction of continuous movement, means for vibrating said surfaces to cause the components of said material to deviate from the line of continuous movement in proportion to the respective sizes, means for transferring material in its distributed. condition from one surface to progressively increased extents of the succeeding surface, means for progressively varying the inclination of said surface, and means for collecting the different sizes of material discharged from the last surface.

24. The process of sizing comminuted material, consistingP in transferring material composed of grains of varying sizes on a series of transversely inclined continuously moving supports and subjecting said material to gravitative impulses adapted to deviate the components of said material from the direction of continuous movement in proportion to their respective sizes, progressively varying the force of gravity acting upon'the material upon the supporting surfaces, transferring the material in distributed condtion from one surface to progressively increased extents of the succeeding surface, and separately collecting the separated sizes of material from the supporting surfaces.

In testimony whereof We alix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

y HENRY M. SUTTON.

VJALTER L. STEELE. EDWIN G. STEELE.

.y lVitnesses:

MIKE Gr. OWEN, EARL E. HURT. 

